Thiel has tough act to follow after achievements in 2005

The Tomcats lost some of their most productive players in school history.
Last season, Thiel College enjoyed its best season in decades, winning the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship for the first time since 1972 and advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time.
The Tomcats of coach Jack Leipheimer are favorites to repeat in 2006.
Thiel and Washington & amp; Jefferson are considered the front-runners in the ever-expanding PAC, which will have seven teams competing for the championship this season and soon could have as many as 10, with St. Vincent, Seton Hill and Geneva slated to join the conference within a few years.
Thiel (11-1, 6-0 PAC in 2005) returns 16 starters, but the Tomcats also lost some of the most productive players in school history. Quarterback Darrell Satterfield holds the school record for touchdown passes (46) and is second in career passing yards (4,870). Wide receiver Brandon Chambers holds school career records for receptions (203), yards (3,111) and touchdowns (34).
Minton is back
However, tailback Steve Minton returns after rushing for 1,066 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2005, becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher in school history.
Senior Billy Blakenship is expected to start at quarterback.
The defense is led by linebackers Jeff Wagner, Mike Stimac and Chris Hlinka, but replacing Shaun Jackson and Zjaque Douglas in the backfield will be a key.
Washington & amp; Jefferson (9-2, 5-1) returns 16 starters from its NCAA tournament-qualifying team, but, like Thiel, many offensive standouts must be replaced.
Chris Edwards set 16 school records at quarterback and was the 2005 player of the year in the PAC. Sophomores Ryan Church and Bobby Swallow are the candidates to replace Edwards.
Leading contenders
Senior Peter Briggs and junior Tom McCafferty are the leading choices to replace All-American receiver Aaron Krepps, and Ryan Mendel, who rushed for 823 yards and eight touchdowns, will be the go-to back this season.
Thomas More (5-5, 4-2) has higher expectations than third place this season. Coach Mike Hallett, entering his third season, said the Saints will get traditional.
Leading rusher Tyran Thompson graduated, so Thomas More will look to sophomore Lawrence Colbert and juniors Robert Christopher and Andrew Guessing.
Senior Justin Fussinger and sophomore Greg Frey and Bo Allen lead a defense that was 31st in Div. III in scoring defense (16.9).
Shepas on the rebound
Waynesburg (4-6, 2-4), coached by Rick Shepas, will depend on the explosiveness of Ryan Abels and Eric Daniels in the backfield. As juniors, they combined for 1,825 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season as Waynesburg led the PAC and ranked 16th in Div. III in rushing yards per game.
The Yellow Jackets will return all three starters on the defensive line, led by junior end Mike Czerwien.
Westminster (4-6, 2-4) begins its second season for coach Jeff Hand with a more experienced team overall, particularly on offense.
Senior quarterback J.R. Barley threw for 784 yards and three touchdowns last season. He has leading receiver Brett Zeigler (35-393-6) back, along with Jake Buzard (30-252).
The Titans return just three starters on defense -- linebacker Jason Fridley, tackle Chris Dulovich and free safety Joey Tissler.
Grove City has 35 lettermen
Grove City (3-7, 2-4) has 35 lettermen, including 15 starters, returning, mostly on the lines and the offensive backfield.
Eight starters return on offense, including four on the line. Senior guards Fred Muller and Matt Rice are both three-year starters, while senior right tackle Bob Perri is a two-year starter.
In the backfield, seven players are competing for three ball-carrying positions. Matt Weil led the Wolverines last year with 410 yards.
Five starters return on a defense that allowed just 2.9 yards rushing per game.
Bethany (1-9, 0-6) begins the arduous task of rebuilding under new coach Tim Weaver.
Senior quarterback Brent Owens threw for 557 yards last year, but sophomore Matt Blumer started the season finale. Senior Joe Ford rushed for 345 yards in 2005.
Linebackers Cliff Anderson and Chance Kildow lead the Bison defense.